[Samuel]

Hi Avery,

The DNP certainly goes through more rigor than other graduate nursing degrees. However, there is not a big enough gap in practical terms as to what a DNP could do compared to an MS-NP. Now, a DNP should definitely receive compensation for roles that a master’s level nursing degree cannot achieve like leadership positions, but I do not think most DNPs are too concerned about the money. There is also a trend right now, in 2023, of professional nursing organizations moving away from master’s prepared NPsl; similar to how hospitals have a preference for BSN new graduates over ADN new graduates. I think MS-NP will eventually phase out of most major hospitals. DNPs will have more value by that time and should be compensated accordingly.

[Samuel]

Hi Avery,

I have a different situation in my workplace. I work in a small inpatient psychiatric facility and most of my coworkers are in NP school. We are very encouraging towards each other and are encouraging our other coworkers to get started on their terminal degrees. I did notice that my personal friends who are nurses do not share the same thoughts about graduate school. I had one friend who said a nurse can make as much or more as an NP and they do not want to get more bogged down with debt. So I understand your sentiment about other nurses discouraging you from getting your DNP degree. Financial reasons aside, there is so much more to the DNP degree than money or debt and I hope my friends could see that and pursue their terminal degree. I would keep my cards closer if I could do it again; there is little use in trying to convince someone of something they do not agree with.

[Samuel]

Hello April,

There is a collective feeling that certain healthcare professionals, particularly medical doctors, disdain the thought of “nurses” using the title doctor. I have an experience I would like to share. I was in nursing school working as a CNA and one of the patients started to get confused and declined a little bit. I believe a rapid response was called and I noticed one of the providers was particularly involved in the patient’s care. I saw that she was not a nurse but wearing scrubs so I said “Thank you, doctor.” She then told me that she’s not a doctor, but a nurse practitioner. This NP was foremost in the patient’s care but had to take the time to clarify that she was not a doctor. Why must NPs go out of their way to differentiate their title when they are doing the same work that medical doctors do? DNP is a terminal degree and deserves the same right to the title “doctor” as any terminal degree. We are not demanding to be on an equal plane as a medical doctor but are asking for the same respect other professionals get when they reach their terminal degree. DNP, Ph.D. nurses all deserve the title doctor.

[Author]

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